Njala University still closed

The President of the Academic Staff Association of Njala University (ASA NU) says their industrial action will continue until all their grievances are addressed. Speaking to Politico, ThuradSenessie said the University administration had not fulfilled their commitment to staff since an agreement for improved conditions of service was reached in the 2011/2012 academic year. Senessie said the university authorities agreed to implement a 400 % salary increment over a period of three years, adding however that only 75 % had been effected which he said didn’t even cover allowances for heads of department and deans of faculties. Senessie also pointed out that an outstanding 38% salary increment, which he said the administration had promised to pay in July 2012 had still not been paid, adding that ASA-NU had therefore resolved that their industrial action would continue until the administration fulfilled all their commitments. Vice Chancellor of the Njala University, Prof. Abu Sesay declined to comment on the issue when contacted by Politico. He said he would “not preempt” anything because an Emergency University Court meeting was scheduled with representatives of the Academic Staff Association on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a final year student of Njala University, Bo Campus, told Politico that the strike action had led to the postponement of the First Semester exams, which had been slated for 9 – 27 February. She said the postponement of the examination meant they had to deplete their budget before the end of the semester.